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aster-d-angelo · 8 months ago

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Reth and Valia — First Fight

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

“Why do I have to be here again?” Valia grouched, crossing her arms as she pressed back into the wall.

A rumbling laugh broke overhead, Reth grinning at her. “Aww, I love you too.”

Good God, why? “I mean, c’mon, you clearly don’t need me here watching you eat,” she tried again, hand gesturing at the metal tray propped on his knees, this close to empty like he was dragging it out.

“Well, you don’t have to watch me eat, but I totally understand if you do. I’m just that irresistible,” Reth shrugged, shoving a hunk of stale bread into his mouth and making Valia’s eyes roll.

“Do you have any manners at all?” she groaned, turning her head in disgust as Reth gave her a good long look at the chewed-up food. How old was he, five?

She was trying, she really was, but the day had been long and she fully lacked the patience for any of his antics tonight. Thankfully, Reth finished not long after, though not without near-constant teasing, and they both walked back to his cage in the evening light.

Having a looming form twice her height hovering off her shoulder all the way down the dark corridor was not her idea of ideal, especially every single night, but she could never get far enough ahead to be comfortable. It was like he knew exactly how big her personal bubble was and pointedly stayed inside it to tick her off.

Finally, they made it back, Valia twisting the dial and punching the button with a sigh. Back at full size, Reth relaxed against the wall, tossing a smirk her way. “Care to join me?” he asked, waving a hand at his abs.

“In your dreams,” she snipped back, shutting the door with a little more force than necessary.

“Go get your beauty sleep, then, sweetheart. Gotta look good for your big day tomorrow,” came the overly-cheerful reply.

“Oh, shut up,” Valia muttered without any real heat, trudging back down the sandy corridor to the dorms. Like she had time for sleep — good grades didn’t earn themselves.

The light in her dorm window burned long after the rest of the campus turned in for the night.

-.-

Valia woke to the sun in her eyes, making her squint at the unwelcome burn. With a moan, she rolled over to escape it, mind hazily whirring to life as she stared at the ceiling. The sunlight had crept down the wall, almost to the floor.

Wait…sun…floor…time…

With an undignified shriek, Valia launched herself out of bed, getting in a quick glance at the clock as she flew into the bathroom.

Their first fight was in fifteen minutes and Valia had overslept.

The next few minutes were a whirlwind of activity, Valia cleaning up and twisting her hair into a loose braid. Her uniform was wrinkled from being tossed over the back of her chair last night instead of hung up, courtesy of her near all-nighter. The cadet cringed as she threw it on. Hopefully, her superior officer wouldn’t be around to chew her out.

Hopping towards the door as she pulled her boots on, Valia snatched up her dorm key, the all-important cage key, and a protein bar, slamming the door behind her.

Then the door flew open again, Valia nearly tripping as she sprinted back to her room to get her gauntlet, breakfast between her teeth as she quickly locked the door on her way out. Forgetting that stupid thing would’ve been a one-way ticket to a competency evaluation and that kind of thing only led downhill.

Then it was a mad dash out of the dorms and down the main path to the arena, Valia ducking into the shadow of the barracks. Jogging along the corridor, she slowed at the low humming drifting from his cage, the imposing form within silhouetted in hazy sunlight.

Letting all her frustration and nerves out in one short breath, Valia scurried into the cage, hurriedly smoothing out her uniform and looking up to see Reth glancing her way. Since the ceiling was too low to stand, he was forced to kneel, continuing to hum as he knotted a blood-red sash around his waist.

Though he was still shirtless, his pants looked new, inky black against the pale sandstone — the higher-ups must have wanted him to look decent for the public. A second, less harried look let her notice the tough bandages wrapped around his hands and halfway up his forearms, leaving his fingers free.

“Late for your first fight? Not a good look, princess,” he drawled, finishing the complex knot and letting it hang near his hip as she stewed near the door, unwilling to get any closer than necessary. “I was even nice enough to give ya a heads-up last night.”

Of course, he would get right on her case.

“Who asked you?” she shot back, albeit halfheartedly — being late was one of her pet peeves and her failing burned more than the casual reprimand. “What am I even supposed to do?”

The barest smirk crept onto his face as he moved to sit cross-legged, sending light tremors under her boots. “Usually, my handler leads me into the arena and keeps an eye on me during the fight in case I…misbehave.” Arms crossed, he leaned forward slightly, making her subconsciously lean back. “You know where the arena gate is, right?”

“I’m not an idiot,” Valia snapped, twisting the dial and smashing the button with far more force than necessary. The blinding light the device so kindly emitted was significantly dimmer now — she’d finally found the brightness setting that the last idiot had left on high.

Dust swirled up as Reth swiftly shrunk to a manageable size, dusting himself off and flourishing at the door with a smirk.

“After you.”

She swept off with a huff, storming down the sandy corridor. Much to her annoyance, Reth kept up easily, hands in his pockets as he sauntered along off her shoulder. His presence so close by was still unsettling, to say the least, but Valia pushed it to the back of her mind. Having very little idea what she was currently supposed to be doing, it was best to be focused, right? Yeah, absolutely.

What little focus she’d scraped together was immediately shattered by a loud growl directly behind her. Valia nearly jumped out of her skin, whipping around to see Reth trying to hold back a laugh at her surprise.

“Sorry, sweetheart. Didn’t get any breakfast yet,” he shrugged casually, smiling down at her.

Her mouth opened to ask why, only to snap shut as the answer kicked her in the teeth. Embarrassment seared her face, Valia quickly hiding it as they continued down the corridor.

They arrived at the gate, the massive, cage-like anteroom connected to it possessing more than enough space for Reth to regain full size. Assuming parade rest with her back in a corner so she didn’t have to worry about being stepped on, Valia’s gaze immediately dipped to the floor, guilt eating at her.

She’d had one job and she’d failed. Her teeth worried at her lip, mind flicking through worry after worry. Would it be a disadvantage to fight on an empty stomach? Was he in more danger now that she’d neglected her duties? Would this be enough to end her probation as a handler, or even her career as a soldier?

As they waited, the giant rolled his shoulders, bouncing in place and making Valia wobble slightly, nervous eyes flicking his way as her train of thought derailed. He certainly seemed fine at the moment, though she wouldn’t take that for granted.

In spite of her uneasiness with being around him, Valia watched him limber up with no small amount of interest, taking note as his face settled into something more serious. Huh, so that’s what his game face looked like…

She quickly looked away as he caught her stealing a glance, practically feeling the smirk bloom on his face. But before he could say anything, another officer burst through a nearby door, exasperation clear.

“What are you doing down here? You’re supposed to be in the box,” the man lectured, gesturing for Valia to follow him. An embarrassed heat flushing her face once more, Valia skirted around Reth’s feet, making for the door. Not like they’d told her what to do. Was this a test, like dumping her in Reth’s cage had been? If so, she was failing miserably.

“Wish me luck,” rumbled out behind her, the faintest hint of playfulness audible. Pulled from her thoughts, the cadet turned in time to catch him making a show of cracking his knuckles before the door clicked shut.

“C’mon,” the officer said, leading her up a staircase several flights to another door, which lead out onto a small, empty balcony. Valia jumped as the distant clamor of an excited crowd suddenly crashed down on her senses, the formless mass resolving into a massive arena filled to the brim with people the more she blinked in the harsh sunlight. An abrupt, sharp burst of anxiety twisted her stomach.

“W-What do I have to do—” she tried, only to be bodily settled at the stone railing, the officer just rolling his eyes.

“You make sure he doesn’t try any funny business and bring him in when the fight’s over. It’s not rocket science, cadet.”

Before she could question anything else, he was gone, the door slamming shut behind him. Turning back, Valia took in the sand-filled pit below, noting the other gigantic gate set into the opposite wall.

Her fingers traced over the gauntlet, picking at the raised design embossed in the metal. She’d never been to an actual fight before, having only seen bits and pieces on TV. As terrifying as giants were, it was the brutality that had always put her off, the unnecessary blood and broken bones turning her stomach. Hopefully, this fight wouldn’t be as savage — the last thing she needed was to puke her guts out in front of twelve thousand people.

Before she could think on it further, a booming voice echoed through the arena, making her leap clear out of her skin.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ARE YOU READY?

The responding scream set Valia’s nerves on edge, the arena seating writhing with excited spectators.

TODAY’S MATCH UP IS A CLASH OF LIGHTNING QUICK AGILITY AND SHEER OVERWHELMING BRAWN! IN THIS FIGHT, SEVEN RANK TAKES ON EIGHT RANK IN AN EPIC CLASH OF TITANS!

Music swelled, pulsing through her head. Valia gripped the balcony, eyes locked on the opposite gate.

IN THIS CORNER, WE HAVE THE CHALLENGER. HAILING FROM MYDRIOS, HE STANDS AT 58 FEET, WEIGHING IN AT 98 TONS, AND HAS MUSCLES IN PLACES YOU COULDN’T EVEN DREAM OF. GIVE IT UP FOR THE VIRIDIAN RIOT!

Massive wooden doors creaked open a fraction, only to violently explode outward as a giant form burst onto the sand.

“YEAH!! VIRIDIAN RIOT IN THE HOUSE!!”

Valia blinked as the new asset strutted to the center and threw his arms out wide, welcoming the crowd’s resulting cheers before flexing outrageously. “You know you want it,” he grinned, winking at the crowd and earning a round of distinctly feminine screams. He changed poses, tanned muscles bulging and fangs flashing, effectively whipping the crowd into a frenzy as the arena shook with a chanting roar of RI-OT, RI-OT, RI-OT.

Shameless, absolutely shameless. Valia leaned onto the balcony, hiding her slight blush behind her gauntlet as the giant strutted back to his gate, running a hand through short, swept-back hair that glowed green in the sun. Compared to Reth’s lean frame, this giant was a bit stockier, compact muscle on muscle built for power. Maybe Reth would have some trouble with this one—

AND IN THIS CORNER, WE HAVE THE CHAMPION. HAILING FROM LITHIA, HE STANDS AT 60 FEET, WEIGHING IN AT 90 TONS, AND IS FASTER THAN GREASED LIGHTNING. GIVE IT UP FOR LITHIA’S VERY OWN MOUNTAIN DEMON!

The doors opened a little more reasonably this time, her asset ducking out and sauntering to the middle, hands in the air to receive the thunderous shouts at his entrance. The showboating wasn’t nearly as extreme, though he wasn’t immune to light posing and playing up the crowd. Apparently, the crowd liked the cool, confident type just as much as the sexy ball of energy, shrieking with approval and setting the cadet’s ears to ringing with an even louder roar of DE-MON, DE-MON, DE-MON.

Valia just rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as Reth made his way back to his gate. The wall wrapping around the arena came up to mid-chest, putting her at the perfect height for his flirty wink as he turned to face his opponent.

FIGHTERS READY!

Both giants settled into battle position, the Riot crouching into a wrestler-like pose while Reth shifted his weight back and brought his hands to bear. The silence before the bell was unbearable, the entire crowd deathly quiet as the tension grew to a breaking point.

*BONG*

Before the bell’s brazen echoes had even fully resonated, the Riot was off like a shot, sand flying as he closed the distance between them in milliseconds flat. Hands up to guard, Reth’s gaze suddenly shot upwards as the other giant launched himself into the air.

Valia’s jaw dropped as the Riot’s shadow fell over her, the giant crashing out of the sky with a superman punch that had Reth stumbling back.

RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE, THE RIOT LANDS A CRUSHING BLOW. HE’S LOOKING TO END THIS FIGHT BEFORE IT EVEN GETS GOING.

Not to be outdone, Reth ducked the wild haymaker that followed and responded with a quick combination to the torso, a flash of a grin appearing as the Riot retreated slightly.

The next couple minutes were spent trading blows back and forth, neither fighter really giving an inch. The crowd screamed the whole while, making Valia’s ears ring with their intensity until all she could hear was a dull roar. Yep, she would be deaf before the fight finished at this rate.

Then the crowd shrieked again, this time in shock, and Valia’s attention snapped back.

A tiny spark of worry zipped through her to see Reth down on one knee, arms up to block the rain of punches the Riot was so gleefully handing out. Her hands gripped the railing again, heart thumping just a little faster.

Then like a streak of lightning, Reth’s hands dropped to the arena floor, his leg lashing out to trip his opponent. The Riot went down with a THUD that rattled her bones and sent the crowd into hysterics.

OH, AND THE RIOT GOES DOWN. THE MOUNTAIN DEMON ISN’T PLAYING AROUND, FOLKS.

With a smirk, Reth jumped on his opponent, straddling him and throwing punch after punch. The Riot struggled underneath him, forearms going red with the beatings. In spite of herself, Valia leaned forward, silently urging Reth to finish the fight as the Riot seemed to stall.

Then in a split second, the Riot shoved Reth back, creating enough room to bring a leg up. Before the other giant could react, the Riot planted a foot in Reth’s chest and practically launched him across the arena. Valia had only a second to suck in a gasp before the massive body slammed into the wall beneath her.

The stonework exploded under her feet, a cry of unadulterated fear escaping her as Valia tumbled headlong into the arena. Time seemed to slow, debris filling the air around her — not that she had to worry about that, really. The fall would be more than enough to make a splatter out of her.

Was this how she died? Not quite what she would’ve wanted, though it was certainly dramatic.

Then something smashed into her back, knocking the air from her lungs and setting fireworks popping in her vision. Instinct kicking in in spite of that, Valia curled into a tight ball, arms protecting her head as crumbling stone cascaded around her and thudded dully onto the sand below.

Wait, below?

When the thunder of stone finally died off, Valia dared peek from under her arms, coughing at the dust clouds that roiled around her. Somewhere beyond the dust, the crowd had gone deathly quiet, holding their collective breath.

“You okay, sweetheart?”

Her heart skipping a beat, Valia’s gaze whipped up to see a dusty chest forming a shadowed wall overhead, Reth’s equally dusty face smirking at her from above. She quickly sat up, her hands pushing against rough cloth instead of sand as the hand beneath her shifted into the sunlight.

He’d caught her — in the middle of all that, he’d caught her and kept her from being crushed. How he’d even noticed her in the chaos…

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine…” she managed, wincing as various bruises, scrapes, and cuts made themselves known as she got to her knees.

Catching sight of the wall behind Reth — or what was left of it — nearly made her jaw drop. The walkway around the edge of the arena was completely obliterated, the giant’s back embedded in the thick stone just short of the actual seating and sparing the crowd the worst of the damage. A number of officers roamed the seating itself, checking the people closest to the damage and evacuating the entire section. Oblivious to her ringing ears, the announcer’s voice boomed overhead, probably asking people to remain calm and all that jazz.

The crowd’s murmuring steadily rose in volume, but above it came the calls of several other officers, asking if she was alright and to tell the asset to let her off on the wall for Christ’s sake, there were cameras!

“Go on then, sweetheart. I’ve got a fight to finish,” his low voice rumbled, her perch lifting to be level with the wall. Something squeezed her chest and Valia restrained the urge to touch one of the fingers partially curled around her for safety.

Stepping off his hand into the officers’ care found her a bit dizzy and as the adrenaline started fading, a building headache took its place. Hand holding her head, Valia turned to watch as Reth wrenched himself free of the wall, brushing off the lingering dust and debris as he stood. “Oi, mosshead, we’re not done here,” he called to the Riot, who was still blinking in surprise on the sand.

The last Valia saw of the fight was her asset’s muscled back, covered in sand, scrapes, and developing bruises while the crowd screamed in appreciation.

“Are you alright?” one of the officers asked, a hand on her arm to help her along the quieter corridors, but Valia barely heard it, too wrapped up in her brush with death and a now pounding headache to focus. She was starting to feel lost in a fog, her thoughts scattered and disconnected.

“That asset didn’t do anything to you, did it?” another snapped, a look of disgust twisting his face and making her frown.

What, like save her life? Valia tried to push through the confusion, surprised at the irritation that bubbled up. “No, he didn’t,” she replied after a few moments, almost immediately slipping back into a daze. Why would they ask that? That had nothing to do with…anything…

“Good. Otherwise, I might’ve had to beat some sense into it. Not that it doesn’t deserve that anyway,” the second officer muttered, Valia glancing at him in confusion.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re kinda spacey,” the first officer piped up again, his hand now holding her up more than guiding her.

“I jus’ need a minute. Head hurtsss…” Valia trailed off, a hand pressed to her aching head. A couple pain meds and maybe a nap…that would help…

She didn’t remember arriving at the medic station, suddenly blinking into a bright light trained on her eyes.

“Can you tell me your name, sweetie?” the older woman behind the light asked, moving it between her eyes.

Her name…Definitely started with a V…

“Valia…Valia Larke,” she managed, momentarily lost in the dark brown eyes gazing into her own.

“And how old are you, Valia?”

“18…no, 19. Birthday’sss in a month and I get to go home.”

The medic smiled, clicking the light off. “You get leave time for your birthday? That’s awesome.”

“Mm,” Valia hummed back, staring at the intricate braids hanging over the woman’s shoulder. “Can I take a nap now?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, darling. You have a concussion from your fall earlier.”

Oh yeah…

“I didn’t fall. He caught me,” she mumbled, gazing down at her hands, her index finger tracing over her palm. Right above where the latch for the gauntlet sat…

She stiffened at the bare skin under her fingers. The latch was gone, along with the rest of the gauntlet.

A spike of fear shot through her, her head whipping up. “Where’s my…” Valia trailed off as the word escaped her, showing her bare forearm in hopes that the woman would understand.

“Oh, your gauntlet? One of the officers took it for when the fight’s over. You’re not really in any condition to be a handler right now,” the medic explained, smiling sympathetically as she strapped a blood pressure cuff on Valia’s arm.

Oh. Well, at least she wouldn’t be verbally eviscerated for losing a complex piece of technology that cost more than her entire officer education.

They ran through the rest of her examination, Valia’s attention wandering from the medic to the wall of supplies to the room that she finally noticed was actually full of people getting treated for various superficial injuries and back again with no particular purpose. Once in a while, her eyes drifted down, brow furrowing as she absently brushed at her uniform. Wrinkled and dusty — the poor thing was not having a good day.

“There,” the woman finally finished, taping the last bandage in place with a smile. “You really lucked out, kid. Aside from a concussion, you only have a few cuts and scrapes that’ll heal in a few days.” She stood, moving to the supply cabinet and pulling a couple things out. “I’d thank someone if I were you.”

She probably should thank him, shouldn’t she? “Yeah…”

“I’d like to keep an eye on you for a little longer, but I have to go check on the boys, so I think I’ll just have you come with me.” The woman gathered up a few more things, flashing another smile her way. “The name’s Maederova, by the way, but you can call me Mae.”

“Valia,” the cadet replied, legs swinging absently.

“I know, honey,” Mae chuckled, slinging a bag over her shoulder and offering a hand. “Come on, let’s see how they fared. It was a pretty even match-up, so I probably have my work cut out for me.”

Valia stared fuzzily at the dark-skinned hand a moment before taking it and hopping off the table. She trailed along behind the taller woman as they stepped out into the sun, glancing up occasionally in curiosity. “So…you’re the giant doctor?”

Another chuckle, warm and amused. “Yeah, I take care of those big idiots.”

Valia’s eyes widened almost comically. “And you’re not…afraid?”

“Is there something to be afraid of?” Mae replied, a mischievous twinkle in her dark eyes.

And Valia didn’t have an answer.

“Well…” she finally mumbled, gaze on her feet, “they’re really big.”

“If there’s one thing I learned in life, it’s that size rarely ever matters,” Mae laughed, the cool shadow of the barracks falling over them as they walked. “They may be a lot bigger than us, but they’re still just people and should be treated as such.” Her brow furrowed the tiniest bit. “Of course, if you ask anyone else, they’ll think you’re insane. Giants are just slaves and weapons to them.”

They reached the cage, the young officer posted outside all too eager to hand off the gauntlet and key he’d been given and book it out of there. Mae just chuckled wryly, strapping the gauntlet onto her arm and unlocking the door. Inside, Reth was laid out on his back, an arm under his head. He glanced over as they approached.

“Hey, doc, what’s up?” he cracked a smile, getting one in return. Then his eyes flicked to Valia who had subconsciously stepped slightly behind Mae. “Hey, sweetheart. You feelin’ alright?”

Wait, why the hell was she acting like a shy toddler? She was an officer-in-training for crying out loud! Moving stiffly to stand next to Mae, she forced herself to meet the expectant eyes trained on her. “I’m fine.”

Her gaze dropped quick enough to miss his expression, the massive body carefully rolling over and making her shiver slightly at its proximity.

“She has a concussion, so she’s hanging out with me for a while,” Mae spoke up, gesturing for Reth to sit up. “You’re gonna be on your best behavior, right?”

“I’m sorry, am I ever not?” Reth grinned, towering over the both of them as he brushed the lingering dust off. Then he laid a scuffed-up hand flat on the sandy floor.

Valia’s jaw dropped as Mae walked right up into it with zero hesitation, even standing as Reth slowly lifted his hand level with his scraped-up chest.

“Glad to see you’re not as roughed up this time,” Mae commented, running her hands over a couple deep scratches as long as her arm. “Did Zekk go easy on you or something?”

“Only if using me as a wrecking ball counts,” Reth huffed out a laugh, only to wince and hold his bruised ribs. “You should see the arena.”

“Oh, I heard. I think they cancelled all fights for the next couple weeks till they get it repaired.”

Down on the ground, Valia wavered, uncertain what she should be doing, if anything. Mae didn’t look like she needed assistance, but it was so damn awkward just standing here third-wheeling the conversation. Her nerves weren’t in the best shape either, watching Mae stand so fearlessly in Reth’s hand and act like what she was doing wasn’t at all dangerous. She had to know Reth could drop or crush her in a second, accidently or otherwise, yet she was acting like it was perfectly fine.

Well…maybe it was fine. Reth certainly hadn’t done anything to indicate otherwise and he’d only ever been gentle with her — completely oblivious of personal space and not inclined to listen to anything she said, but…gentle.

“You okay, sweetheart?”

For a split second, she was back in his hand, gaze unconsciously snapping up. That same smirk looked back, Reth cocking his head slightly at her. “You look a little out of it.”

Unexpectedly, a light blush climbed her neck, her hands twining together as she looked away. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine.”

She really should thank him. He had literally saved her life today — he deserved that much.

It took a minute to get her legs to cooperate, but Valia finally walked a hesitant, wobbly line over to the massive hand pressed against the floor for support. She could feel his dark eyes following her, a quick glance up letting her glimpse his eyebrow raised in curiosity. The cadet managed to get within arms-reach of his fingers, unable to push herself any closer, heart fluttering softly with anxiety.

“I…I wanted to…thank you for earlier…” she started, gaze flicking everywhere but his face, trying to string her thoughts together through the low-level throbbing in her head. “I would’ve died if you hadn’t caught me, so…”

Just do it, V — do it and get it over with. Hesitantly, Valia reached out to the nearest knuckle, fingers quivering ever so slightly. “Thank y—”

Dizziness suddenly slammed into her, her vision flickering for a second as she lost her tenuous grip on her balance. A shout from Mae fuzzed in her ears, unintelligible.

Then something big whipped past her and she tumbled forward onto a calloused, leathery surface that gave just the smallest bit under her weight. Not the unforgiving stone floor, then. That was good; she hurt enough as it was.

Blinking the leftover stars from her vision, Valia sucked in a quiet gasp at the broad, battered hand cupped under her, her legs dangling past long fingers to just brush the floor.

A chuckle rumbled above her. “Whoa there. You’re falling for me pretty quick, don’t ya think?”

Bad jokes aside, her face burned so badly it was a wonder it didn’t catch fire. And yet Valia couldn’t really make herself get up, her brain apparently still trying to collect itself even as part of her desperately wanted to push away. To her mild surprise, it wasn’t anything personal. He was just…so much…

When she didn’t respond right away, trying to make her limbs work the way they were supposed to, the hand lifted, fingers propping her into an upright position, the index finger resting lightly on her shoulder to keep her in place. “You gonna be okay?” his low voice asked with a grin, sending a shiver through her when she could literally feel his words. “I know I’m a lot, but that’s just more of me to love.”

She hardly heard him, distracted by the soft pressure on her shoulder. Such a gentle touch from such a huge being shouldn’t have been possible and yet here it was. The same hand that had nearly pounded the Riot’s face in was now holding her upright, treating her like some precious thing.

She’d always known he’d meant no harm — she wished she’d figured it out before he’d scared the shit out of her the first time, but hey — but to save her twice in one day and then take care of her in a way she knew she didn’t deserve, especially after how she’d been treating him…

She had no idea where they’d come from, but the tears sliding down her face surprised her just as much as they did him. His fingertip lifted slightly, still just barely in contact with her shoulder.

“I’m sorry!” she suddenly blurted out, startling all of them, Reth pulling his hand back in surprise.

The silence that followed was tight with confusion. The stunned looks on Mae and Reth’s faces probably would’ve made her giggle if she’d felt at all like laughing.

Eyes flicking over her, Reth finally ventured a hesitant question, his expression verging on wariness. “…for what?”

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled again, breath starting to hiccup. It was probably the concussion talking — emotions swirling, words jamming up in her throat, unable to spill out — but somehow it still felt necessary. “I’m sorry for…for…”

Dammit, she couldn’t get it out. Reth’s awkward silence wasn’t helping either, his uncertainty palpable even in her off-kilter state.

“Valia, honey, don’t push yourself,” Mae suddenly called from her perch on Reth’s hand. “Your concussion still needs to heal.”

She blinked, sniffing as the doctor’s words sank in. “O-Oh, o-okay,” Valia stammered, wiping quickly at her eyes in an effort to hide her profound embarrassment. Damn, now her nose was running. Could this day get any worse?

“Alright, let me down, hon.”

The scuff of skin scraping on sand caught her attention, Mae stepping back onto solid ground and fiddling with the dial acting as a welcome distraction. “Not too bad this time, boy,” she commented, tapping the button and pulling out some supplies as Reth shrunk to a more practical size. “Let’s get you bandaged up.”

Surprisingly, no sarcastic comment was forthcoming, Reth sitting in unusual silence as Mae started cleaning his wounds. The cadet would’ve thought further on his lack of a comeback, but her runny nose took priority — not to mention she didn’t want to think too long on her absolute failure of an apology.

Not wanting to get snot on her already roughed-up uniform, Valia searched her pockets, praying she hadn’t forgotten a handkerchief in her mad dash out the door this morning.

Instead, her searching fingers closed on crinkly packaging, Valia pulling out the protein bar she’d shoved in her pocket and completely forgotten about. She stared at it a moment, thumb absently rubbing at the shiny foil.

Then something clicked in her foggy mind and Valia gripped the bar a little tighter, moving determinedly towards the giant once again.

Reth glanced at her as she approached, his lightly furrowed brow and uncertain gaze making her eyebrows rise slightly. Some small part of her wanted to celebrate about finally making him uncomfortable for once, to get him back for all those times he’d teased and flirted with her until she’d wanted to scream.

Instead, she held out the protein bar, purposefully making eye contact. “Here.”

His eyebrows rose, eyes flicking from her to the bar and back, hints of wariness bleeding through his neutral expression.

“You didn’t get breakfast this morning,” Valia responded firmly to the unspoken question, lifting the bar higher in prompting. Where this sudden burst of confidence was coming from, she had no idea — probably the concussion again — but she was going to thank him, dammit, and no hesitancy on his part was gonna stop her.

There was another moment or two’s hesitation before Reth gently plucked the bar from her hand, staring at it in a manner that looked a lot like awe. Did he really like it that much? It was just a protein bar and not even one of the good flavors at that.

Then deft fingers peeled back the wrapper and snapped the bar in two, Reth holding out half in her direction.

Oh.

Valia blinked, slowly accepting the bar as their eyes met.

“Thanks,” he murmured, a hint of his smirk coming back as he bit into the bar.

The tips of her ears suddenly burning, Valia dropped her gaze to her bar. “No problem.”

Too busy with each other, neither of them noticed Mae’s little smile as she continued to bandage Reth up.

#g/t #g/t writing #d'angelo drafts #reth #valia #reth and valia #it's been a little bit since I've known what I'm doing #but here's some more :)

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